I have a water leak to or at my yard hydrant

[grsthegreat]

all my underground is continuous 2" poly pipe...i believe its schedule 80 ...or maybe 120, all buried 5' below surface. the sprinkler system is all glued white pvc pipe, but its all blown out with air come winter. now going on 27 years old, still working 100% leakfree. tested every year.

 

[4570Man]

Almost 100% PVC, if it is plastic, and everything is glued until you get to larger than 6" diameter. I don't know why more folks don't use PEX-A here, but they don't.
Peter

I have a few customers insist on using pex but it’s inferior to pvc for below ground use. The pex is much softer than pvc and a lot more sensitive to rocks rubbing a hole in it. Sure you could sleeve it but that adds dramatically to the cost and most people don’t want to pay.

 

[4570Man]

A neighbor of my in laws had copper waste lines, most of it had to be replaced at 30 years old due to sulfur water eating it up….

I don’t know why people hold copper in such high regards. I’d rather have pex any day. The upfront cost is much lower, if it does leak it’s a lot easier to fix, it’s more freeze resistant and the copper gets leaks from corrosion all the time. Also unskilled plumbers will connect copper to galvanized fittings that causes corrosion. Pex is hard to screw up.

 

[tomplum]

When I redid the pump house I put valves on each line that left. Had a suspicion that I had a leak and just had pex'd the house last winter. I basically shut the power off to the pump, then shut off the individual valves. The house perfect. The run to the hydrant emptied the pressure tank when we were gone for a day.

I've not dealt with yard hydrant repair. It's a standard model from the co-op. Is it a possibility to service the hydrant in place? I guess I'd try that if it is a likely cause rather that learning to witch a water leak. Dunno, that may be a fun thing to do to.

 

[D&D]

When I redid the pump house I put valves on each line that left. Had a suspicion that I had a leak and just had pex'd the house last winter. I basically shut the power off to the pump, then shut off the individual valves. The house perfect. The run to the hydrant emptied the pressure tank when we were gone for a day.

I've not dealt with yard hydrant repair. It's a standard model from the co-op. Is it a possibility to service the hydrant in place? I guess I'd try that if it is a likely cause rather that learning to witch a water leak. Dunno, that may be a fun thing to do to.

yes, you can. Figure out which one it is and order a rebuild kit. The steps shown are kinda universal.

 

[lilranch2001]

I don’t know why people hold copper in such high regards. I’d rather have pex any day. The upfront cost is much lower, if it does leak it’s a lot easier to fix, it’s more freeze resistant and the copper gets leaks from corrosion all the time. Also unskilled plumbers will connect copper to galvanized fittings that causes corrosion. Pex is hard to screw up.

Personally, I enjoy working with copper, and I enjoy the appearance of a well laid out and installed copper system

 

[ddbackhoe]

Personally, I enjoy working with copper, and I enjoy the appearance of a well laid out and installed copper system

Another thing of the past. Any DA can install plastic (oh, youre supposed to use primer and glue? A clamp on every fitting?) It actually took skilled labor to run and sweat copper.
Of course that brings in other issues like the DA improperly cutting floor joists, sill plates and headers ( Ive seen door and window headers wrong too) Most homeowners are oblivious to the potential consequences so its all good until they try to file a homeowners claim.

 

[grsthegreat]

I tried rebuilding my frostfree a few years ago. Sucked. still leaked. So i dug it up and replaced entire thing.

 

[4570Man]

I tried rebuilding my frostfree a few years ago. Sucked. still leaked. So i dug it up and replaced entire thing.

I’ve not had much success rebuilding faucets of any kind. I think calcium builds up and prevents a good seal.

 

[ponytug]

A trouble with slow leaks is that the leaking water can erode the valve seat beyond the point a replacement washer can fix it.

I have a seat facing (resurfacing) tool that I use every so often on old faucet seats. Basically, it shaves the brass flat so the washer / seal can make a leakproof seal. They make a number of variations, some with carbide cutters.

One of those oddball tools that I use once in a blue moon, and then I'm thrilled to be able to quickly finish a job when I do need it.

Or just buy a new hydrant.

All the best,

Peter